Hotel, Accommodation Travel News

Travel + Leisure lists 15 green hotels

2007-11-06T20:32:00.000-08:00

Hotels from the Maldives to Colorado made it onto Travel and Leisure's list of 15 green hotels in the magazine's November issue, which is devoted to "responsible tourism."

The magazine worked with Conservation International to develop an assessment test to figure out which of the world's hotels have high environmental standards for water and energy conservation, waste reduction and supporting local communities.

Properties on the list are:

1. Grenada's Spice Island Beach Resort

2. The Maldives' Soneva Fushi Resort and Six Senses Spa

3. Sri Lanka's Heritance Kandalama

4. Australia's Voyages Longitude 131, located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

5. Bahamas' Tiamo, on the South Andros Island

6. Switzerland's Whitepod, near Aigle in the Alps

7. Colorado's Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash

8. The Philippines' El Nido Resorts in El Nido, Palawan

9. Chumbe Island Coral Park in Zanzibar, Tanzania

10. Egypt's Adrere Amellal in the Siwa Oasis, a Berber community in the desert

11. Kenya's Campi Ya Kanzi a Masai-owned lodge in Chyulu Hills

12. Nicaragua's Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge on Playa Ocotal, San Juan del Sur, on the Pacific Coast

13. Jamaica's Hotel Mocking Bird Hill near Port Antonio

14. Tenuta di Spannocchia in Siena, Italy

15. England's Strattons Hotel in the town of Swaffham in Norfolk

[Source from; usatoday.com]

Openning New Le Meridien in Bangkok 2008

2007-10-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

Le Meridien Bangkok Hotel located in the Surawong district within close proximity of prominent business and banking headquarters, embassies, major entertainment and shopping centres, the Le Meridien Hotel Bangkok will be located 30-minutes from Bangkok International Airport and five minutes walk from the Sky Train.

The Le Meridien Bangkok Hotel will feature state-of-the-art technology and restaurants and bars, a ballroom, a choice of meeting rooms, fully equipped business centre, health club and a separate spa.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts named Best Business Hotel Brand in Asia Pacific

2007-09-17T04:10:00.000-07:00

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has been named Best Business Hotel Brand in Asia Pacific for the seventh consecutive year and won a record total of nine awards in the recent Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Reader Poll.

Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore was voted Best Business Hotel in the World, Best Business Hotel in Asia Pacific and Best Business Hotel in Singapore.

The Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong and China World Hotel, Beijing each won the Best Hotel awards in their cities. Also, Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur; Makati Shangri-La, Manila; and Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza, Taipei were named Best Business Hotel in their cities. This is the highest number of awards won by Shangri-La in the history of the Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Readers Poll.

The poll was conducted among the magazine’s readership of frequent travellers based mainly in the Asia Pacific region. Results were compiled by Taylor Nelson Sofres Hong Kong and will be published in the October 2007 issue of Business Traveller Asia-Pacific.

Troubled southern Thailand gets help from neighboring countries

2007-08-29T22:53:00.000-07:00

eTN/Aiming to "drum up" tourism, Thailand has entered a deal with Indonesia and Malaysia to stage an international travel fair in a city that has generated security concerns. Indonesia-Malaysia and Thailand, which make up the IMT Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) countries, will hold an international travel fair in the Thai southern city of Songkhla from January 11-20 next year.

The travel fair is expected to boost confidence in the region's tourism industry which has plummet in the strife-torn southern Thai states due to religious and factional violence in the last four years. "This is only one of many programs to be held in the three countries," said Thai IMT-GT Joint-Business Council (JBC) chairman Somkiat Anuras, at the end of the 23rd JCB meeting held in Ipoh, Malaysia recently.

The Songkhla provincial government, added Anuras, will be spending US$1 million to host and promote the fair, which is expected to draw 100,000 international visitors from the three member countries.

In addition to cultural performances from its three member countries, the travel fair will feature indigenous multi-sports competition common in the region, including bull and cock fighting, and bird-singing contests. "We are expecting an increase of up to 30 percent in tourism volume in the three countries following the travel fair," added Anuras.

The fair will feature some 120 booths promoting tourism products from sellers in member countries, half of which will be from Thailand.

Bangkok Thailand hotels Best deals!

2007-07-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

August/September 2007 coming up at the Mega Bangkok City and few hotels has been selected to be offer the best hotel service. Check it out and book your favorite Bangkok Hotel near by your travel destination place. All this Bangkok Hotels provide a full customer service and normal hotel amenities. Have a good trip to Thailand!

Airport Suites Hotel Bangkok, Amari Atrium Hotel Bangkok, Amari Boulevard Hotel Bangkok, Amari Don Muang Airport Hotel Bangkok, Amari Watergate Hotel Bangkok, Arnoma Hotel Bangkok, Baiyoke Sky Hotel Bangkok, Baiyoke Suite Hotel Bangkok, Bangkok Palace Hotel Bangkok, Banyan Tree Bangkok Hotel, Chaophya Park Hotel Bangkok, Four Seasons Bangkok Hotel, Grand China Princess Hotel Bangkok, Holiday Inn Silom Hotel Bangkok, Ibis Huamark Hotel Bangkok, Imperial Queens Park Hotel Bangkok, Landmark Bangkok Hotel, Maruay Garden Hotel Bangkok, Metropolitan Bangkok Hotel, Montien Hotel Bangkok, Montien Riverside Hotel Bangkok, Novotel Lotus Hotel Bangkok, Novotel Siam Square Hotel Bangkok, Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel Bangkok, Rama Gardens Hotel Bangkok, Royal Parkview Hotel Bangkok, Swissotel Le Concorde Hotel Bangkok, Twin Towers Hotel Bangkok, Unico Grande Silom Hotel Bangkok, Woraburi Sukhumvit Hotel Bangkok

More Bangkok Hotels has been selected here ...

Singapore Visitor - May 2007

2007-07-02T02:00:00.000-07:00

In May 2007, Singapore welcomed 820,000 visitors, representing a growth of 7.1% compared to May 2006. Visitor days were estimated to reach 3.1 million days, an increase of 16.8% in comparison to May 2006.

Indonesia (155,000), India (98,000), P.R. China (85,000), Australia (59,000) and Malaysia (51,000) were Singapore’s top five visitor-generating markets in May 2007. These markets accounted for 55% of total visitor arrivals for the month.

The 98,000 visitors from India in May 2007 is a new record for visitors arriving from India in any month. This is 20.9% higher than the previous record of 81,000 visitor arrivals from India set in May 2006.

Singapore gazetted hotels were estimated to generate Sin$152.2 million in room revenue in May 2007, showing a growth in excess of 30% as compared to May 2006.

The Average Room Rate (ARR) in May 2007 was estimated to reach an all-time high of Sin$195, representing an increase of 25.1% over May 2006. The Average Occupancy Rate (AOR) for hotels was estimated to have reached 85% in May 2007, posting a 4.1 percentage point increase over May 2006.

[Source from asiatraveltips.com]

Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2007

2007-06-14T02:14:00.000-07:00

The fair is organized by the N.C.C. Exhibition Organizer Company Limited, sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The event will take place during 21 - 24 June, 2007, at 10.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m., at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

In the event, there will be a variety of quality products, services, and tourist attractions with 10-50% off, categorized into zones as follows:

- Grand Sale Zone, comprising clothes, accessories, leather products, and brand names for shopping admirers who prefer quality products at special prices.
- Grand Service Zone for travelers. A variety of accommodation, tourist attractions, airlines, as well as, both domestic and international tour packages is lined up to be chosen.
- Lifestyle and Leisure Zone with the highlight activities to create colorful traveling. It is to respond to the tourism lifestyles of the new generation who have their own unique traveling choices and styles.

[Source from; www.tourismthailand.org]

Millenium hotel

2007-05-24T08:29:00.001-07:00

The construction of the millenium hotel going on and should be ready on time.

The world's newest hotel brand: Tamani Hotels & Resort

2007-05-24T01:24:00.000-07:00

The world's newest hotel brand, Tamani Hotels & Resorts has been well received by the region's travel trade and public, following its successful debut at Arabian Travel Market (ATM), held at Dubai World Trade Centre earlier this month.

Tamani Hotels & Resorts is the hotels brand of KM Holding, one of Dubai's largest and most prominent business conglomerates. Operated under KM Hospitality and Leisure, Tamani Hotels & Resorts offers Islamic hospitality with a focus on Arabian arts and culture.

'Tamani Hotels & Resorts was exceptionally well received at the recent ATM, which provided us with the perfect launch pad for our new concept in Islamic hospitality,' said Alain Guernier, CEO, Tamani Hotels & Resorts.

'The Tamani dry concept has been very well received by both the UAE and GCC market, based on feedback we have received from industry professionals, media, travel agents and tour operators. The hospitality industry has welcomed Tamani as new major player,' Guernier remarked.

'The wholesomeness of the concept and Tamani's Islamic values are well placed in the public's perception and very much welcomed. We look forward to a successful launch of our first property, Tamani Hotel Marina Dubai, this summer,' he explained.

The54-storey Tamani Hotel Marina Dubai is scheduled to open soon and will be the first property to fly the Tamani Hotels & Resorts flag.

The hotel is the newest and the tallest building in Dubai Marina. Tamani Hotel Marina Dubai is an iconic building offering stylish modern architecture, accentuated in glass and steel, and offers elegant surroundings laden with the finest amenities and facilities ensuring a stylish environment for those conducting business and leisure.

Situated in close proximity to both Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City, and with easy access to Jebel Ali, the all-suite hotel will provide a perfect accommodation choice for corporate travellers and those relocating to the emirate.

The five-star property, which will offer a selection of one-, two- and three-bedroom suites and four-bedroom penthouses ranging from 85m² to 330m², will also be a popular option for leisure travellers, especially families from the GCC.

Nine penthouse suites, offering four bedrooms and located on the 52nd floor, will provide the ultimate in comfort and space, while also affording spectacular panoramic views of Dubai Marina, the Jumeirah coastline and The Palm.

In addition, the hotel will offer a dedicated ladies floor, served by a brigade of female butlers. In total, Tamani Hotel Marina Dubai will offer 230 keys, and total 530 bedrooms.

Leisure facilities at the hotel will include a fully fitted gymnasium boasting a bespoke cardio and resistance training line especially designed for the brand. Similarly, treatment room will offer spa therapies using a signature spa line, currently under development for Tamani Hotels & Resorts. A business centre and all day dining restaurant complete the hotel's facilities.

[source from ameinfo.com]

Songkran Thailand Festival - Happy New Year !!

2007-04-16T20:52:00.000-07:00

The Songkran Festival in Thailand was from the 12 to 16 April 2007. The all country was in Holiday for this special event of the year "Thailand New Year". Enjoy Water game and flowers.

Seacon Square - Amazing Shopping and Attraction!

2007-04-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

The mega shopping mall at Bangkok call Seacon Square is one of the biggest in Thailand. More than 500 shops and plenty of entertainment during the week end . . Dont miss it !

Private breakfast !

2007-04-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

Enjoy your private breakfast at the 24th floor of the Century Park Hotel Bangkok. From the fruit punch until the fresh salad around a fantastic panoramic Bangkok view.

Happy New Year Thailand

2007-04-12T22:46:00.000-07:00

Enjoy in Thailand the 2007 water Songkran festival.

Bangkok Airport Suites !

2007-04-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

2 km from Dong Muang international airport . . The Bangkok Airport suites is very well situated.

Airport Suites Hotel Bangkok are very close to the city’s international airport and offer rooms that overlook the runways and feature all modern comforts. Airport Suites Hotel Bangkok's facilities include an in-house sauna and a business center which are also very useful for your work or leisure needs.

Bangkok airport back to normal !

2007-04-11T16:53:00.000-07:00

The Dong Muang bangkok airport is open now to all domestic traffic in Thailand. Phuket, Chiang Mai, Samui island are the prefered Thailand destination.

Golf at Chaophya park hotel.

2007-04-09T19:40:00.000-07:00

Golf its amazing how you can enjoy and relax. The golf driving range at the hotel Chaophya park is open every day from 08am to 22pm. Have a happy golf play :-)

Thailand Hotel spa

2007-03-27T23:55:00.000-07:00

Flowers and relaxation. Get the full Spa therapies & massage on many hotels in Thailand, such in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Phuket and Phuket.

Online Marketing for Hotels

2007-03-15T19:20:00.000-07:00

What's the latest thing in online marketing for hotels? Site design.

Hotels have awakened to the challenge from online travel agencies, and they are shifting money into online marketing to meet it, according to a new study by Hospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS).

The worldwide study of hospitality executives found that 68% of hoteliers plan to shift their budgets from offline to online marketing in 2007.

Emerging media will not be part of the mix for most hotels, based on respondent opinions about what produces the best return on investment (ROI). Web site optimization was listed most often (72%) by hotel execs, followed by search optimization and organic search (68%) and Web site redesign/design (62%).

Only 17% of respondents named consumer-generated media, blogs and their ilk as bringing high ROI. This is particularly relevant for online video, because individual hotel videos are a competitive advantage that many online travel agencies do not have.

eMarketer senior analyst and travel specialist Jeffrey Grau noted the motivation behind hotels' focus on the fundamentals, saying that "to compete with online travel agencies, hotels are focusing on improving the usability and functionality of their Web sites."

New media is even more of an afterthought in intended 2007 budget allocations, where it came in among the least allocated Internet budget items.

Although this approach may seem single-minded, hotel executives are onto something. In a January 2007 study of US ad executives by Outsell, as reported by MediaPost, 75% named company Web sites as effective or extremely effective at lead generation.

[Source from emarketer.com]

World's 10 best taxi rides

2007-03-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

IN a strange, unfamiliar city, a taxicab ride can often be a distinctly unnerving experience.

The foreign taxi ritual is grimly familiar: You make bizarre guttural attempts at the local argot, paw your way through exotic multi-coloured bills, and wonder all the while if, rather than being taken for a ride, you're being "taken for a ride." And should you tip? And if so, how much? Quelle horreur!

But maybe it's time to reconsider the taxi, to embrace it rather than dread it, to make your taxi-riding experiences both home and abroad part of the adventure, not simply a means of getting around. Of course, sometimes a taxi ride is just a taxi ride, as anyone who's been driven from LAX to downtown Los Angeles can tell you.

But the world's best taxi rides can deliver both a decent dose of travel excitement and a great feel for the place you're visiting. Whether you find yourself in a red-and-white Toyota in Hong Kong or a stately black behemoth in London, the following can make the ride a memorable experience: an open attitude, a friendly driver, an interesting route, a clean window and yes, the correct fare.

Naturally, taxis express the nature of their city. In New York, for example, it's all business, with 11,344 yellow Ford Crown Victorias (plus an interesting recent mix of SUVs, minivans and hybrids) racing from point A to point B as fast as possible. Just hang on, experience the rush, and don't forget to tip.

In Hong Kong, it's much the same, but without the tipping. Dan Heyler, an investment analyst based there, says drivers there reflect the capitalistic chaos of the city perfectly.

"They're incredibly focused on getting the next fare," he says. "They always take the shortest route, never break the law, and save time by simply rounding up the fare to tip themselves."

Heyler's one warning: "Be careful where and when you say 'stop here.' The driver will do just that by slamming on the brakes and dumping you without even pulling all the way over to the sidewalk. It's all about making the next buck."

In Tokyo, as in all of Japan, the experience is more polite. The taxi door opens automatically (touching it is a breach of etiquette), and you can't help but notice the driver's white gloves and the lacy doilies that sometimes decorate the seats.

London is a city where a taxi ride is more than just transportation; it's a tourist attraction unto itself. The world's greatest taxi city, it has a proud taxi history going back to 1588 (the last horse cab wasn't retired until 1947).

Sitting in the back of a big black London cab is like resting on your living room sofa, and you can be sure you'll get where you're going. London's 19,000 taxis are driven only by those who have taken "The Knowledge," the dreaded test that forces aspiring drivers to memorize hundreds of routes, landmarks and buildings in central London. You can often see young men zipping around town on motorbikes with maps affixed to their handlebars. That's how they study, and it can take up to three years to pass the test.

Teck Tjuan Yap, an international banking consultant whose work takes him to cities in Europe and Asia, makes his taxi rides interesting by always taking an initial stab at communicating with the driver.

"You never know what he may have to say, and if you hit it off you can always start pumping for knowledge, whether it's local gossip or restaurant picks." Yap notes, however, that this strategy can backfire.

"Whenever I'm in Bangkok, drivers will invariably offer me a guided tour, a new suit and an escort, and not necessarily in that taxi order."

Even if there's a language barrier, you should at a minimum be able to communicate your destination (get it written down ahead of time or have your guide book turned to the appropriate map page), and make sure you know the local tipping customs. Those two small steps alone will help ensure that your ride is stress-free and that you can sit back and make the ride an enjoyable part of your travel experience.

From the charms of old Havana to the bustle of downtown Istanbul, we've compiled a list of the 10 best fares on the planet. Enjoy.

Source from news.com.au

Travel on Valentine's Day !

2007-02-06T02:49:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day comes on February 14th as a traditional day on which lovers express their feelings for each other and give them candy, flowers and others as a gift. Valentine's day was originated in 5th century Rome as a tribute to St. Valentine and the day became famous with romantic love in the high middle ages.

Its very difficult to know when, where, and by whom the very first valentine was written but we do know that the first one was written by Margrey Brew and the another first was written by Charles, Duke of Orleans in 1415 A.D. when he was in London at that time poems was sent by him to his wife in France.

"Wilt thou be mine? Dear love, reply
Sweetly consent, or else deny;
Whisper softly, none shall know,
Wilt thou be mine, love? Aye or no?"

Nowadays, Valentine's Day is celebrating by every one in all over the world because this is not only to pass message someone you love even you can also enjoy with your dear ones.

But let's not forget that Valentine's day in our time is one of the best reasons to travel! What could be better than traveling with your beloved one to a romantic hotel or island and have a great time with the people you love.

The following destinations are surely going to make the perfect romantic holiday:

BANGKOK

Bangkok has a lot to offer for the Valentine's day. During the day, Bangkok might be overwhelming for some but when the sun sets almost all people would agree that the city changes its face completely. There are a lot of ways how to spend a romantic night in the City of Angels.
One of the best ways could be to take a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River where you can enjoy a candle light dinner under a sky full of stars while listening to the soothing sounds of the river.

In Bangkok we recommend staying at the following romantic hotels:

Royal River Hotel Bangkok $44.50
Marriott Resort and Spa Hotel Bangkok $151

Other romantic Thailand Hotels include:

Bo Phut Resort and Spa $171.50
Baan Samui Resort $115
Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket $122.50
Central Kata Resort Phuket $85

[Source from: Excelloz.com]

Hotels in Singapore Updated List

2007-01-09T22:46:00.000-08:00

This website will give you all major Hotels in Singapore list.

Just click on each hotel and you will discover all hotel singapore information, including hotel Singapore reviews and Singapore travel guide.

Agents tap into Internet to reach clients

2007-01-09T19:29:00.000-08:00

Amid the rapidly changing social-networking on the Internet, a growing number of travel agents and industry leaders are tapping into new technological tacks to reach out to get the attention of on-the-go clients.

While blogs and podcasts have been around for several years, their use is increasingly growing. Analysts at Gartner Inc. estimated last month that next year around 100 million bloggers will be active online. While there are no definitive statistics on the exact number of travel blogs on the global Internet, a Google search turns up 128 million in less than a second; 38 million travel podcasts turn up.

Bruce Fisher, founder and co-owner of Honolulu-based Hawaii Aloha Travel (hawaii-aloha.com), recently launched an Internet blog as well as 12-minute podcasts — “The Hawaii Vacation Connection” http://feeds.feedburner.com/HawaiiVacationConnection).

Launched in April, the podcasts now get about 300 downloads a day, he said. Neither efforts were in his original marketing plan.

“For us, we’ve had to refresh our entire marketing plan to reflect blogs and podcasts and to keep pace with the fast pace of the Internet,” he said. Short for “Web logs,” blogs are simple Internet sites that highlight your running commentary on travel — everything from the best cruise deals to a first-person experience at a luxury spa.

Scott Ahlsmith, president of Magellan Travel Group, likens blogs to a running conversation between you and your clients or prospects. And the advantages include the low cost, increased contact with clients and the ease — most are much easier to set up and maintain than a full-blown agency Web site.

Ahlsmith recently launched YOU! The Brand — a new blog service that offers agents help in setting up their own blogs. The service offers nearly three-dozen templates from which to choose the blog “interface” that can be changed at any time. The service costs about $50 a month, or $479 prepaid for a year, and includes content, a weekly podcast and a personal Web domain name.

Nolan Burris, founder of Visionistics, is an advocate of travel blogs.

“Just remember, this isn’t a place to blatantly sell your stuff, but you can put links to your Web site within your reviews and place ads that link to your Web site,” he said in a presentation to agents last year. “This will definitely help your Google rankings. Just be careful. Blog readers can spot a thinly veiled sales pitch in a heartbeat. If a blog isn’t read, it doesn’t help your rankings.”

Podcasts also are growing in popularity as the multimedia presentations use syndication feeds to offer users the ability to download and play them on everything from mobile devices to personal computers.

Virgin Atlantic offers downloadable podcasts (virginatlantic.loudish.com) that highlight destinations from New York City and Las Vegas to Shanghai and Dubai. And noting Americans’ busy schedules, a fitness destination spa in Ojai, Calif., also has launched a series of podcasts in what may be a first from the industry of health-oriented destination spas.

For now, Fisher — whose agency is now up to more than 20 home-based agents and among the top rankings on Internet search engines — says he’s continuing to monitor trends and how they fit into his marketing plan.

[Source from travelagewest.com]

Travel News: Price you pay for seclusion

2006-11-17T17:01:00.000-08:00

YOU know you're staying somewhere special when Joan Collins has just checked out of the villa you're checking into. In fact, only a few minutes have passed between her departure and my arrival, and a faint trace of Chanel No. 5 still hangs in the air.

The legendary Hollywood actress chose one of the eight super-luxury Pangkor Laut Estates, hidden away on a tiny island off Malaysia's west coast, for her latest honeymoon (her fifth at the last count).

And who can blame her?

These jaw-dropping private estates – each with its own stretch of tropical beach, aqua-blue swimming pool, breezy lounge and dining pavilions, butler and chef – are the essence of a new, and rapidly growing, trend at the very top end of the international travel market.

It's also one that redefines the meaning of paradise islands.

Some are so new, you may not have heard of them; others are so exclusive – and expensive – that only a privileged few can afford to stay there.

All, however, provide the sort of fantasy island escape that dreams are made of, and only money can buy.

Likuliku Lagoon Resort, Fiji
IT'S so new it hasn't even opened yet, but from February 1 next year, the couples-only Likuliku Lagoon Resort will have Fiji's first over-water bures.

Located in the Mamanuca islands, 10 minutes by helicopter or seaplane or 30 minutes by speedboat from Nadi, Likuliku will offer five-star luxury in a magical setting.

With only 46 bures, 10 of them suspended over a coral-reef lagoon and the remainder set along a stretch of pristine beach, Likuliku promises to be a tranquil oasis where guests can relax and pamper themselves in privacy and luxury.

Fregate Private Island, Seychelles
FOUR degrees south of the Equator, this spectacular island is home to some of the rarest flora and fauna on the planet, one of the world's most beautiful beaches, and a resort for just 40 guests that's so beautiful it almost defies description.

With only 16 super-luxury villas, each with a large terrace, a day bed and a jacuzzi positioned to take in the breathtaking Indian Ocean views, the reality of Fregate Private Island far outshines any images in a glossy holiday brochure.

Pangkor Laut Estates, Malaysia
HIDDEN from view on Marina Bay, a short drive from the 148-villa resort of the same name, Pangkor Laut Estates are the haven of choice for captains of industry, movie stars and the seriously wealthy.

Set alongside a crescent-shaped beach and shrouded in rainforest, the eight residences are the last word in luxury, recapturing the lifestyle and atmosphere of old Asia.

With infinity-edge swimming pools and landscaped gardens

Four Seasons Resort Estates, Bali
THIS iconic resort, on a hillside overlooking Jimbaran Bay, has a swag of international travel awards to its credit, but few guests realise an even more private, exclusive and luxurious retreat lies just next door.

The Four Seasons Resort Estates, only metres from the waves lapping gently on Jimbaran Beach, offer families or a group of friends the opportunity to relax and unwind in a residential setting complete with swimming pools, tropical gardens, massage pavilions, audio-visual systems and a small army of staff.

[Source from http://www.news.com.au/travel]

Hotel rates to rise 6.5% for U.S. Travelers

2006-10-20T04:36:00.000-07:00

U.S. travelers can expect room rates to rise 6.5 percent next year, despite an expected slowdown in the economy, the travel industry's main trade group forecast on Friday.

"Hotels will continue to raise rates aggressively," said Dr. Suzanne Cook, vice president for research at the Travel Industry Association of America. Although some new hotels are being built, demand still exceeds supply in some markets.

Cook spoke at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, where the travel group held an annual outlook conference for marketing executives. Cook predicted that growth in the travel industry will slow as declining home prices affect consumer spending and continued malaise in corporate travel brings fewer road warriors to hotels, resorts and airports.

The average daily room rate at hotels nationwide, which was $90.56 last year, has increased to $96.73 so far in 2006, and is expected to reach $103 next year.

Those national rates are lower than in South Florida, where strong pricing power in the winter skews annual averages. Last year, the average daily room rates were $148.86 in Palm Beach County and $100.56 in Broward County.

Growth in travel will track the economy in general, which is expected to grow by 2.2 percent next year after accounting for inflation, Cook said.

South Florida's economy relies on tourist spending. Broward and Palm Beach counties have about 850 hotels and visitors spent an estimated $10 billion here last year.

Nationwide, Cook said tourism expenditures are expected to grow 7.5 percent this year to $702.5 billion before moderating next year to 5.3 percent, reaching $739.6 billion. Those figures are not adjusted to account for inflation, Cook said. "Over the next few years we expect growth in spending to slow, but still to have positive growth in spending," Cook said.

Business travel is part of the slowdown, Cook said. With Fortune 500 leaders forecasting weaker growth, they are keeping tight rein on travel budgets, she said. Audio and video conferencing continue to grow as alternatives to business meetings. Cook said she expects no growth in the number of business trips this year and only 1 to 2 percent growth next year.

The outlook for leisure travel is a bit sunnier, with growth of 2 percent forecast this year and 1 to 2 percent next year, Cook said.

International travel to the United States peaked in 2000 at 51 million visitors, and then sagged after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Cook said that foreign visitors this year are finally expected to exceed the 2000 level, coming in at 51.4 million.

But she said international travel to the United States is weakening, especially from overseas markets in Europe. Cook attributed the weakness in part to security fears and to the lack of a coordinated national advertising campaign aimed at foreign travelers.

Still, there remains some mystery as to why travel from countries such as the United Kingdom and Japan is slowing. "We're not sure quite what's happening," she said.

[Source from chicagotribune.com]

Novotel Suvarnabhumi SPA - Bangkok Airport Hotel

2006-10-03T03:31:00.000-07:00

Just opened recently, the Novotel Suvarnabhumi is one of the most interesting new hotels in Thailand. You will also find an excellent SPA inside that makes this new airport hotel an establishment with all the bells and whistles.

"Relax, Restore, Revitalize" sums up pretty well, what the Novotel Suvarnabhumi SPA is all about. And as an introductory offer, the SPA at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi offers a 25% discount on all massage treatments from 10:00 until 15:00 each day.

Suvarnabhumi Bangkok New Airport

2006-09-29T18:48:00.000-07:00

The Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Airport, now open is the biggest airport in Asia. The name Suvarnabhumi was chosen by HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej ... all » which means "The Golden Land", specifically referring to the continental Indochina. "Golden Peninsula"or "Golden Land" is a traditional name for the Thailand-Cambodia-Laos-Burma region.

True bargains exist, but finding them takes lots of legwork

2006-09-18T18:38:00.000-07:00

Even as hotel prices increase, “the number of not-good-deal packages is at an all-time low,” said Bjorn Hanson, New York-based hospitality consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, an international accounting company. You can thank the Internet and yourself for that. “Guests can do research so easily,” Hanson said. Hoteliers, he explained, are wary of alienating customers.

Amy Ziff, editor at large for online travel seller Travelocity , put it this way: “Travelers are pretty savvy. They know the game.” In this contest, your best weapon is a calculator. “People have to do the math,” Ziff said.

You’ll need patience too. Evaluating packages can be tedious. With rates shifting by the minute and information available from multiple outlets, such as third-party sellers, the hotel’s reservations number and its website, Hanson said, “guests have more work to do now than ever before.”

But the work can be worth your time or worth paying a travel agent to do. In my research, I found packages that saved quite a bit, a little or nothing.

"Free" nights: These may not be the cheapest deal.

The Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino in St. Martin, for instance, advertised a "Fourth Night Free Special," good through Oct. 31, on its website. With that special, the four-night tab for Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 totaled $630 for a Supersaver King room.

The package beat the hotel's "best available rate" total of $760. But I could have paid only $500 using the resort's $125-per-night "Web rate."

No. 1 lesson: It's not the "free" night; it's the cost of the paid nights that counts. Effectively, I would pay $157.50 per night under the free-night special.

No. 2 lesson: "Best available rate" isn't always the cheapest.

Breakfast included: If you want to eat at the hotel, you may save at least modestly with a bed-and-breakfast package.

At the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, for instance, which is rated Four Diamonds by AAA, the "Bed & Breakfast Package" for two was listed as $329 per night for Sept. 29 to 30. That was $15.90 per night less than the cost of separately booking the "best available rate" ($309) and buying two buffet breakfasts ($17.95 per person). If you booked the AAA room rate ($299), savings fell to $5.90.

Golf, anyone? The price of the "Endless Fairways Golf Package" at Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawaii's Big Island depended on the class of room and number of golfers. Either way, you would save.

For a king lanai golf-view room from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2, the package was $354 a night for one golfer and $454 for two. Essentially, the hotel added $100 per golfer to the "best available rate" of $254. The nonrefundable "Net Direct Rate" was even less, $234. Because greens fees, bought separately, were $130 per guest, you would save $30, or $60 per room, depending on the number of golfers.

Math class: The $299 "Back to School" special at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa included a $50 certificate for Office Depot to buy school supplies.

[Source from latimes.com]

Tourism Authority Of Thailand Focuses On All Things Hip, Intimate And Boutique As Part Of New ‘Chic By Thailand’ Campaign

2006-09-10T20:04:00.000-07:00

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is promoting the growth of all things hip, intimate and boutique as part of its new marketing campaign to attract visitors to the country – ‘CHIC By Thailand’.

The focus on ‘chic’ comes because of the ever-growing mix of new and lavish hotels, eateries, bars and attractions throughout the country. From opulent hideaways in the south of the country, unashamedly five-star properties in the far cultural north, to deliciously decadent dining hangouts and must-see bars in the buzzing capital, Bangkok.

Commenting on the ‘CHIC by Thailand’, Khun Tanes Petsuwan, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand London said, “Thailand lends itself to the concept of ‘chic’ because of the recent explosion of many new boutique-style properties in the country. There is also a growing trend of new islands and resorts which focus on style and attention-to-detail. One important message we want to get across is that ‘chic and boutique’ is not necessarily synonymous with ‘expensive’: Thailand has an abundance of hotels, guest houses, bars and restaurants which are both inexpensive yet effortlessly fashionable.”

One of the initiatives of the new ‘CHIC by Thailand’ campaign includes a new dedicated brochure for the discerning traveler, presenting a collection of the highlights including the most stylish hotels, restaurants and bars the country can offer. This has been produced in conjunction with tour operator partners and includes a range of special offers on holidays to Thailand. The campaign will also include an integrated advertising, PR and on-line campaign to communicate the message.

Up-and-Coming Islands and Resorts
Some of the up-and-coming island resorts include Koh Yao, Koh Racha, Trang, Khao Lak, all in easy reach of the more established resorts of Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui. Another emerging hotspot is Ko Chang located on the East coast and Thailand’s second largest island yet still relatively unknown. Visitors to these latest beach offerings can make themselves at home with a choice of sleek and select new five star properties. Hotels with a groove include: the swanky ‘Sarojin’ and funky ‘La Flora’ in Khao Lak; the ‘coming soon’ new Evason Hideaway Resort and Spa and the small but perfectly formed ‘Paradise’ in Koh Yao; the environmentally-friendly ‘The Racha’ is Ko Racha’s only premier accommodation and the sophisticated Amari Emerald Cove in Trang where sweet dreams are made from.

More Established Resorts
The grown-up beach resorts of Phuket, Samui, Krabi, Hua Hin and Pattaya have all pulled off a delectable combination of fabulous and no-expense-spared hotels and resorts. From the ridiculously radiant Phuket Pavillions all pool villa complex and the rooms with a view Phulay Beach Resort and distinctively designed The Tubkaak in Krabi to the sumptuous Sala Samui, the hideaway Hua Hin Aleenta and the striking new Sheraton Pattaya.

Northern Thailand
Some of the best new arrivals for the stylish and adventurous traveler can be found in the North of Thailand. It doesn’t get much more glamorous in Chiang Mai than the ‘Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi’, not forgetting the deco-to-die for ‘D2’ and ‘The Chedi’s fabulous new creation. For something a little different, Chiang Rai is now home to Thailand’s first-ever ultra five-star tented camp. Forget sleeping bags on mud-packed floors, camping has moved up the sophisticated scale courtesy of Four Seasons.

Bangkok
Bangkok chic has boomed too with an endless array of places-to-go and be-seen. Who could resist the grandeur of ‘Sirocco’ or ‘Vertigo’ both of which offer a first-dinner date success guarantee and the most breathtaking views of the city. And then there is the heavenly serenity of Mahanaga serving both Thai and International dishes and the spaceship-like, all-white pod which is the ‘Bed Supper Club’ where the beautiful people of Bangkok can lounge, chat and eat. Other hip hangouts include the fabulous ‘Q Bar’, the chilled ‘Club 87’ at The Conrad, the hot-to-trot Hu’u cocktail bar and the all new pretty and pink Syn Bar at Raffles International.

[Source from europetravelnews.com]

The Power of Travel: How Travel Dollars Support America

2006-08-31T04:52:00.000-07:00

The public normally thinks that the travel and tourism industry consists of travel agents, airlines, hotels, and rental cars. However, this industry is 95 percent small business. Many of these segments are represented in a template titled, "The Power of Travel: How Travel Dollars Support America."TIA created this PSA as an artwork template that you can use to make your own window posters, meeting flyers, counter cards, tent cards, luggage tags, buttons, full size posters, advertisements, publication covers, newsletter fillers, and presentation slides. Help tell travel and tourism's story and add your own message too in the space available below the artwork.

Download a color version of the The Power of Travel Template

[Source from tia.org]

Finding a Hotel Room for the Right Price

2006-08-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

With lodging prices in New York at record levels and nudging upward (averaging $243 in 2005), the biggest hurdle is getting a rate that leaves enough cash for a show, a nice dinner or a day of sightseeing. Even at exorbitant prices, New York hotels book up quickly; the occupancy level, also edging up, was 85 percent last year.

Still, there's hope for the bargain hunter. Last week, you could have snagged a double at the Sheraton Manhattan on Seventh Avenue, an easy walk to Broadway theaters, for $120. A bed at the Park South, a chic property near Union Square, was going for $179. A room at the handsome Mansfield, right off Fifth Avenue, was $219 -- including a buffet breakfast and complimentary espressos.

You just have to know where, when and how to hunt.

Check the online discounters. Quikbook ( http://www.quikbook.com/ ), one of the most reliable booking agencies with NYC rooms, is where the Park South offer popped up. Like most of the rooms on Quikbook, that rate was well below the $259 quoted on the hotel's own Web site. One of the virtues of Quikbook is that, with the exception of a small number of prepaid rooms, bills are settled at checkout (no fee is charged for booking and none for canceling, as long as reservations are voided at least 24 hours in advance). But not all of its hotels are top-notch. As a general rule, steer clear of what are described as two-star properties.

Other online agencies worth checking are Hotels.com ( http://www.hotels.com/ ), Expedia ( http://www.expedia.com/ ), Travelocity ( http://www.travelocity.com/ ) and Orbitz ( http://www.orbitz.com/ ). Hotels.com charges for rooms at the time of reservation, while the other agencies offer some prepaid rooms at deep discounts (most hotels, however, can be paid at the end of the stay). With the exception of Orbitz, the agencies charge a reservation fee that's rolled into the rate. They also charge fees ranging from $10 to $25 for canceling or changing reservations on the prepaid rooms.

Besides their usual slice off standard hotel rates, these discounters occasionally come out with grab-it-quick bargains. Hotels.com, for instance, is advertising a Memorial Day special featuring discounts from May 23 to June 5 at properties in New York and elsewhere. Doubles at the 2 1/2-star Newton Hotel, located on Broadway on the Upper West Side, are going for $147 a night during that period, down from the usual $185.

We found the Mansfield -- whose rates usually start at $269 -- at Travelzoo ( http://www.travelzoo.com/ ), which compiles discounts from sources throughout the Web and regularly offers hot hotel deals. Sign up for Travelzoo's weekly Top 20 alert; that and other sites' newsletters will give you a heads-up on hotel deals in New York and elsewhere.

[Source from washingtonpost.com]

New directions for Thailand Tourism

2006-08-22T03:21:00.000-07:00

The Thailand tourism industry is to be marketed under a new tagline, "Unforgettable Thailand", as part of the new strategies for 2006/07 finalised at the Tourism Authority of Thailand's annual marketing meeting.

The new advertising and PR campaign will be launched soon and "focus on delivering an unforgettable experience to visitors," said TAT Governor Mrs Juthamas Siriwan.

"In a major departure from previous policy, targets will now be revenue-based designed to achieve a revenue target rather than an arrivals target," she said.

Marketing activities by head office and branch offices will be geared towards stimulating consumers to spend more money in Thailand, with each overseas office and domestic region having a certain revenue target to meet.

This may include more aggressive promotion of shopping, for example through joint promotions with major retail and shopping complexes, more emphasis on Thailand being a hub for wellness and spas and other revenue-generating activities. These new initiatives were discussed at the TAT Marketing Action Plan 2007 held between 15-19 August 2006. Mr. Pracha Maleenont, Caretaker Minister of Tourism and Sports presided over the opening day and the private sector and media were given a briefing on August 21.

A number of focus groups were organised prior to the main meeting to generate proposals and ideas for further in-depth discussion. On the international marketing sector, the most important consideration is the creation of a clear, appropriate and potentially long-term brand image, solving the growing problem of zero-cost tours, boosting tourism during the low season, expanding land transportation, and stressing linkages with the Greater Mekong Subregion.

The TAT executives also discussed ways to boost utilisation of the Internet, especially to raise Thailand's brand image among tour operators, organise more special events, introduce new tourism destinations and encourage foreign investment in tourism, especially in new products.

In addition to the ongoing marketing plan, the meeting discussed ways to adapt and adjust the plans in accordance with changes in the underlying conditions and the occurrence of crises.

It was noted that in addition to the growth in numbers, Thailand is becoming a year-round destination with the low-season period now confined only to April to June. Although Bangkok and major tourism destinations remain popular among international visitors, tourism income is also growing in some of the new destinations.

Overall, the arrivals are doing well with strong growth in the first half of 2006, indicating strongly that the impact of the December 2004 tsunami is long over.

Markets like China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong are all growing again, mainly due to good economic conditions and more public holidays, leading to more travel to short-haul destinations.

However, Thailand can expect to face high competition in these markets as other destinations like Vietnam and Philippines are also raising their marketing profile.

[Source from breakingtravelnews.com]

Hotel check-in kiosks multiplying rapidly, but who wants them?

2006-08-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

We’re used to it at airports. We’re resigned to it at grocery stores. Now self-service check-in kiosks in hotel lobbies are multiplying faster than bunnies in springtime.
Major chains such as Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton and Fairmont are installing kiosks that allow busy customers to check themselves in and get a key—without ever talking to a human being.

A person who checks in at a kiosk can speed the process by 48%, according to kiosk maker NCR Corp. and Hospitality Technology research. No wasted time chit-chatting with the all-too-human desk clerk. No waiting in line behind the couple from Cleveland with six kids and an upgrade demand.

Embassy Suites in Detroit has a kiosk. It’s used mostly by travelers used to technology. In 18 months, it hasn’t reduced front desk staffing. “Most people, if they see the kiosk and see a body at the front counter will still go to the body,” says general manager Ben Joos.

That’s backed up by a Forrester Research study of San Francisco published in Fast Company magazine in July. The study found seven of 10 guests would rather interact with a person at check-in

But that’s what people said about airlines and grocery stores. Nearly 80% of people use electronic check-in at airports; 47% do in groceries.

[Source from freep.com]

Lodging Keywords or Hotel Key Phrases?

2006-08-08T21:21:00.000-07:00

The value of the search engines continues to grow in regard to their impact on your online sales results. The search engines have become the single most important distribution channel on the Internet. Even more so than the Merchant Sites!

With 50% or more of your reservations coming to you via the Internet and one or more search engines affecting 70% of these sales, I think its a safe bet that you need to evaluate how much of your marketing budget goes into search engine marketing.

Search engine marketing consists of two basic elements; a paid listing and an organic listing. The one common element that critical to both your paid and organic search programs is choosing the right keywords or phrases. A recent report release by OneState.com, a leading supplier of search analytics gives us some interesting information about how search terms are used by the consumers.

This information is no surprise to Lodging Interactive as to the value of key terms and phrases compared to other companies who continue to rely on single keyword meta tags and optimized content. A successful search optimization program whether paid or organic has to match the terms being used for the search process. What you are paying your search engine marketing service for is their optimization skills and keeping up with search engine user trends so these trends can be integrated into how your website is optimized.

[Source from lodginginteractive.typepad.com]

Travel websites for the myspace generation

2006-08-07T19:08:00.000-07:00

Less than a decade ago, the arrival of huge online travel agents such as Expedia revolutionised the way we bought holidays and gave even the hardened technophobe a reason to log on to the internet.

But now a new wave of interactive travel sites that allow holidaymakers to post their own hotel reviews and destination advice are attracting just as many browsers looking for up-to-the-minute, honest information that can’t be found in guidebooks.

Unlike sites such as Travelocity and Expedia, which sell the components of holidays - flights, car hire, hotels - the new ‘social’ or ‘me media’ sites allow readers to swap information about holidays, chat or make friends. The most popular of these ‘user-generated content’ sites is Tripadvisor.com, which launched six years ago and now receives 20 million visitors a month worldwide - the same number as Lastminute.com, which was rated the most visited ‘destinations and accommodation’ website in the UK for 2005.

Although Tripadvisor is funded by advertising and is owned by Expedia, its principal purpose is to provide a place for people to post independent reviews, and share information. It is updated by readers every minute.

Current most-visited pages include a posting about family holidays to Niagara Falls and what to see in Boston. Chatroom discussions include where to buy Russian military memorabilia in Moscow and how one should dress in Paris.

[Source from http://observer.guardian.co.uk]

Add for FREE your Travel and Picture Experiences !

2006-07-25T03:18:00.000-07:00

Find on Excelloz Travel Guide, Pictures, reviews, blogs and advice from thousands of travelers around the world.

Be a part of it by adding for FREE at any time your own travel experiences and share to millions of travellers.

The Excelloz Travel Guide is a very organized travel directory and travelers are your best source for travel information to make any decision like hotels or travel tour.

Singapore Connecting Transportation !

2006-07-19T22:57:00.000-07:00

Arriving by air — Changi Airport (SIN) is at the eastern end of the island. Huge but efficient, it hosts more than 50 airlines and is linked to more than 100 cities. Two passenger terminals are connected by an air-conditioned, fast-moving, automated Skytrain.

Connecting Transportation

Best way: Take the MRT (metro) from the airport to the central business, shopping and hotel districts. The trip from Changi Airport station to City Hall at the center of the system will take about 30 minutes (there are several stops along the way) and cost S$1.40.

Other options: Taxis are fast and efficient, and only cost around S$14, including all the various surcharges. Travel time to downtown is about 20 minutes.

The MAXICAB is a shuttle service with flexible routing from the airport to almost all hotels within the business district (departures every 30 minutes). It's a bit cheaper than taxis, and the trip takes about half an hour. Reservations: 65-542-5831.

Singapore Bus Service operates regular buses from the airport to Orchard Road downtown. It runs daily, with multiple departures each hour. The ride takes about an hour.

Some singapore hotels have courtesy vans available to pick up arriving guests, and rental cars are also readily available.

Arriving by sea — Visitors arrive at either the Singapore Cruise Centre, which is part of the World Trade Centre, or at the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in the east, which mainly serves ships to and from nearby waters. From the Cruise Centre, a taxi to the city will take about 15 minutes. If you aren't pressed for time, you can also catch Bus 14. Both the taxi stand and the bus stop are located just outside the Cruise Centre. If you are docking at Tanah Merah, the only way to get to the city (or anywhere, for that matter) is by taxi.

Discover Singapore City Travel Guide

Arriving by train — Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) offers regular service between Singapore and key cities in Malaysia. In cooperation with the State Railway of Thailand, trains also run between Singapore and Bangkok. Keppel Road; Tanjong Pagar.

[Source from usatoday.com]

Thailand's tallest hotel, The Baiyoke Sky Hotel

2006-06-28T20:58:00.000-07:00

The Baiyoke Sky Hotel in Thailand's tallest hotel, rising 88 storeys above Bangkok skyline, is Thailand's tallest and Bangkok's most scenic hotel. The hotel is strategically located in the heart of downtown Bangkok, Surrounds by bustling market and various entertainment attractions. While enjoying the spectacular views of the colorful city from the artistically built hotel or haggling around in the famous Pratunam Area, there is also easy access to the shopping paradise like World Trade Center, Peninsula Plaza, Gayson Plaza, Sogo Department Store and MBK, which are approachable within fifteen minutes walk.

[Source from thaihotels.org]

Excelloz.com, New Press Release !

2006-06-22T23:01:00.000-07:00

Excelloz.com launches new hotel reservation website and community

Excelloz.com is the new travel website that aims to provide a one-stop-solution for all kinds of travel arrangements while providing the lowest possible rates. Especially in Asia, Excelloz.com can offer extremely low prices.

3 different membership programs aim at making Excelloz an even more attractive offer a comprehensive reward points system and discounts in addition to many other benefits.

Next to the Hotels section of Excelloz.com, a separate Hotel review section gives every past customer of the hotels a place to share his thoughts. Excelloz.com strives to be the most accurate source of this type of info as it is well known that other travel sites struggle to keep a good quality of customer reviews. Besides, misuse is also a common problem. On Excelloz, It is only possible to write reviews for hotels that you have booked before and stayed at.

The Travel Guide section of Excelloz.com gives you free access to user submitted travel reports and pictures. It is possible to upload stories and photos for all destinations in the world, making it a comprehensive source when searching for travel tips.

About Excelloz.com:
Excelloz.com is a travel provider that gives access to a worldwide hotel database. Based in Bangkok, Excelloz aims to deliver cheap hotel rates, a big selection of accommodations, personalized service and a thriving user community.

New $19 million hotel for Sydney Olympic Park

2006-05-31T00:23:00.000-07:00

Sydney’s fastest growing commercial and events venue – Sydney Olympic Park – will get its fourth hotel, following the announcement that Tourism Asset Holdings Limited (TAHL) will develop a new Formule 1 hotel on the site.

The 156 room two-star Formule 1 Sydney Olympic Park will be operated by Accor, Australia’s largest hotel group and is scheduled to open in December 2007.

The new-look, new-style $19 million Formule 1 will be located on the corner of Edwin Flack Avenue and Dawn Fraser Avenue, and the design of the hotel will complement other developments on the site.

The construction of the Formule 1 will bring the total number of hotels located within the Park to four and the total number of hotel rooms to 687.

NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation and Tourism Sandra Nori welcomed the deal between the Sydney Olympic Park Authority and Tourism Asset Holdings Limited.

“The new hotel reinforces the level of investment currently taking place at Sydney Olympic Park, which in time will see it become a vibrant, thriving economic centre,” Minister Nori said.

This is the second announcement in eight months regarding the development of new hotels at Sydney Olympic Park said Ms Nori.

“Last October the Authority welcomed a deal with Accor, which will also see the development of a five-star Sofitel hotel at the precinct,” she said.

“As businesses and attractions in the Park grow, it’s important to continue providing high-quality accommodation that caters for all visitors to the precinct.”

With four hotels of various ratings now located within the Park, Chief Executive Officer for Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Brian Newman says this new hotel will predominantly cater for tourists and visitors to the precinct.

Mr Newman added that the 2-star hotel will also cater to a broad range of recreational and business users, and reinforces the Park position as an increasingly popular location for investment and development.

“The Park is now home to over 60 businesses including Orlando Wyndham, Dairy Farmers, QBE, BP Solar and Eveready. The recent announcement that the Commonwealth Bank of Australia will relocate 1400 staff to Sydney Olympic Park in early 2007 has added impetus to our plans and provided further justification for establishing an additional hotel in the precinct,” Mr Newman said.

The Formule 1 Sydney Olympic Park will be the seventh Formule 1 in the Sydney area and joins a network of 18 F1s in Australia.

Accor Asia Pacific Chairman, Mr David Baffsky, said that Accor’s pioneering hotel developments at Sydney Olympic Park had played a significant role in building western Sydney’s business and tourism infrastructure.

“While the original Novotel and Ibis complex were built in time for the 2000 Olympic Games, we always saw them as major business and conference hotels that would play a dynamic role in the growth of western Sydney,” he said.

“The fact that we will have four hotels in the same precinct covering the full spectrum of the market is unique in Australia and demonstrates the vibrancy and strength of the Olympic Park area.”

Accor has acquired a 50-year leasehold interest from the Sydney Olympic Park Authority.

[Source = etravelblackboard.com]